Cedar Creek Energy
Cedar Creek Energy is a Minnesota-based solar EPC contractor and developer, founded in 2007, that designs, installs, finances, and maintains commercial and residential photovoltaic systems with battery storage and PPA options for businesses, municipalities, manufacturers, and homeowners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersBlaine, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Cedar Creek Energy does
Cedar Creek Energy is a Minnesota-based solar energy company founded in 2007 by Rob Appelhof that designs, installs, and maintains photovoltaic systems for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and government customers across Minnesota. The company operates as a commercial solar developer and EPC contractor, delivering end-to-end engineering, procurement, and construction services, and serves as a certified Enphase storage system installer for solar-plus-storage deployments. Its modular product portfolio spans core commercial and residential PV installations, energy storage, LED lighting retrofits, O&M agreements, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) under which the company itself owns and operates commercial and municipal systems on 15–20 year terms.
The business operates three primary revenue streams. One-time installation revenue is generated through system sales, including equipment, labor, and permitting, with project-specific pricing delivered via free solar bids. Recurring operations and maintenance contracts provide subscription-style service revenue over the life of installed assets, supplemented by a free solar monitoring program bundled with installations. Under its PPA model, Cedar Creek Energy finances, owns, and operates commercial and government systems, monetizing federal and state tax credits and selling electricity to customers at predetermined rates — creating a long-duration, transaction-based revenue stream.
The company is founder-led (Rob Appelhof, President & CEO) and operates from a single headquarters in Blaine, Minnesota, with a workforce in the 11–50 employee range (approximately 30 as of 2018). It has completed more than 500 solar panel installations across its lifetime and markets itself as having completed "thousands of projects." Its go-to-market combines direct field sales for enterprise commercial clients, inside sales and website-driven lead capture for residential and SMB customers, referral and utility partnerships (Xcel Energy Solar Rewards, MnPace financing), and subcontractor engagements with larger developers. Geographic operations remain concentrated in Minnesota, with the 2025 launch of an Illinois Shines offering representing the first observable out-of-state extension.
Cedar Creek Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cedar Creek Energy
- Legal name
- Cedar Creek Energy
- Website
- https://cedarcreekenergy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cedar Creek Energy is a Minnesota-based solar EPC contractor and developer, founded in 2007, that designs, installs, finances, and maintains commercial and residential photovoltaic systems with battery storage and PPA options for businesses, municipalities, manufacturers, and homeowners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cedar Creek Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Energy Installation Services
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar PV Power Plant EPC (Utility-Scale) (EUAEAAAG), Utility-Scale PV EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) (EUACAGAB), Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations) (EUAEADAA)
Keywords
Where Cedar Creek Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Blaine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cedar Creek Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Solar Panel System Sales & Installation: Cedar Creek Energy designs, installs, and maintains sun-powered solar systems for commercial property owners and homeowners. Revenue is generated through the sale and installation of solar PV systems, including equipment (panels, inverters, racking), labor, and permitting fees. The company also handles LED lighting retrofits and energy storage installations as part of its clean energy service portfolio.
- Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Services: Ongoing O&M agreements for commercial solar installations, including system monitoring, preventive and corrective maintenance, performance reporting, and warranty management. These contracts provide recurring service revenue over the life of installed systems.
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): For commercial, government, and large residential clients, Cedar Creek Energy designs, installs, owns, and maintains solar systems under 15–20 year PPAs. Clients pay only for electricity produced at a predetermined rate lower than utility rates, with zero upfront capital outlay. Cedar Creek Energy leverages federal and state tax credits as the system owner.
- Financing Intermediation & Rebate Navigation: The company helps customers secure financing, rebates, and incentives (federal ITC, state rebates, MnPace, Xcel Solar Rewards) which reduces customer upfront costs and facilitates more transactions. While not a direct revenue stream, it supports sales volume.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Custom solar system pricing based on project scope, system size, and customer segment (residential vs. commercial). |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — customer pays per kWh produced at a predetermined rate under a 15–20 year contract. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Cedar Creek Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cedar Creek Energy designs, installs, and maintains solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for commercial and residential customers in Minnesota. The company offers turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, energy storage integration, LED lighting retrofits, and operating and maintenance (O&M) agreements. It also facilitates power purchase agreements (PPAs) and helps customers navigate utility rebate and incentive programs.
Product overview
Cedar Creek Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of solar energy products and services for both residential and commercial customers in Minnesota. The core offerings include Commercial Solar Panel Systems and Residential Solar Panels, which can be enhanced with add-on modules including Energy Storage (battery systems), EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) Services, Operating & Maintenance (O&M) agreements, LED Lighting & Retrofitting, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Additional support services include Financing & Rebates assistance, Illinois Shines program support, Solar Panel Repair, and a Referral Program. The company also supports customers in accessing Xcel Energy Solar Rewards incentives. The product architecture is modular, allowing customers to start with core solar installations and add services like battery storage, maintenance contracts, or alternative financing arrangements as needed.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Commercial Solar Panel Systems
- Residential Solar Panels
- EPC Services
- Energy Storage Systems
- Operating & Maintenance (O&M) Agreements
- LED Lighting & Retrofitting
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
- Solar Panel Repair
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 87% reduction in yearly energy bill (residential case study)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Cedar Creek Energy
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Cedar Creek Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Cedar Creek Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM)minorCedar Creek Energy was featured in a tour hosted by Clean Energy Economy MN in partnership with the Center for Energy and the Environment, with Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin). The tour aimed to educate policymakers about the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) energy policy. This partnership positions Cedar Creek Energy as a thought leader in Minnesota's clean energy sector.
- Xcel Energy (Solar Rewards Program)coreCedar Creek Energy works directly with Xcel Energy to complete forms and paperwork to create Solar Rewards Accounts for customers and submit applications. Xcel Energy's Solar Rewards program allows solar customers to earn bill credits for excess electricity produced, providing a significant incentive for customers to go solar. Cedar Creek Energy serves as an approved installer and intermediary for Xcel's program, facilitating customer enrollment and project interconnection.
- Enphase EnergycoreCedar Creek Energy is a Certified Enphase Storage System Installer, enabling them to design and install Enphase-based solar-plus-storage solutions for Minnesota homeowners and businesses. This certification allows the company to offer battery storage integration with their solar installations, an important differentiator as energy storage adoption grows in Minnesota.
- MnPace (Property Assessed Clean Energy)minorCedar Creek Energy was the first company to design and get approved the first MnPace financed solar project in Minnesota (Minneapolis, for Crankshaft Supply). MnPace is a financing mechanism where property owners repay solar costs through property assessments rather than upfront payments. Cedar Creek Energy pioneered this financing mechanism in Minnesota.
- Versiris EnergyminorCedar Creek Energy served as a subcontractor for Versiris Energy on a 575.36 kW commercial rooftop solar installation at a commercial retailer facility in Chanhassen, MN. Cedar Creek provided installation labor, logistical management, and custom solutions to overcome access restrictions, demonstrating project execution capabilities as a subcontractor on larger projects.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cedar Creek Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inovateus Solar: Midwest-based solar EPC and development firm serving commercial, agricultural, and utility-scale customers. Directly comparable to Cedar Creek in customer mix and project profile across the Upper Midwest.
- All Energy Solar: Minnesota-headquartered solar EPC contractor serving residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. Operates with a similar full-stack installer model, including design, install, and maintenance services in overlapping Minnesota geographies.
- Blue Raven Solar: National residential solar installer with an in-house financing arm. Directly competes for residential customers in Cedar Creek's Minnesota territory using a similar direct-sales, education-driven go-to-market motion.
- RGS Energy (Real Goods Solar): National residential and small commercial solar installer with a regional operating model. Comparable to Cedar Creek in its reliance on installer-channel execution and federal tax-credit economics.
Broad incumbents
- Sunrun: Largest U.S. residential solar company with a national PPA/lease model. Competes directly with Cedar Creek's PPA offering and is active in Minnesota, though it operates at significantly greater scale and brand awareness.
- Mortenson Construction: Large U.S. EPC contractor with a significant utility-scale wind and solar practice headquartered in Minnesota. Competes with Cedar Creek on commercial/industrial solar EPC and dominates the larger project size classes that Cedar Creek cannot pursue internally.
- McCarthy Building Companies: Large national EPC contractor with a dedicated renewable energy practice. Competes with Cedar Creek on larger commercial and industrial solar projects and represents the type of well-capitalized entrant that could pressure Minnesota market economics.
Regional players
- Connexus Energy: Minnesota-based electric cooperative with a solar program for member-owners. Functions as both a customer-acquisition channel and indirect competitor, given its influence over Minnesota residential and commercial rooftop economics through its Solar*Connect program.
Others
- Xcel Energy (Solar Rewards): Dominant Minnesota investor-owned utility whose Solar Rewards program is the primary value driver behind residential solar economics in the state. While a partner to Cedar Creek, Xcel's program terms materially shape demand and margins for the company.
- Enphase Energy: Leading microinverter and battery storage manufacturer whose certified installer program Cedar Creek participates in. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but its product roadmap (IQ batteries, IQ8) directly shapes Cedar Creek's storage attach economics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cedar Creek Energy social profiles
Digital presenceCedar Creek Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cedar Creek Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Cedar Creek Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cedar Creek Energy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cedar Creek Energy
What does Cedar Creek Energy do?
Cedar Creek Energy designs, installs, and maintains solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for commercial and residential customers in Minnesota. The company offers turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, energy storage integration, LED lighting retrofits, and operating and maintenance (O&M) agreements. It also facilitates power purchase agreements (PPAs) and helps customers navigate utility rebate and incentive programs.
Is Cedar Creek Energy a public or private company?
Cedar Creek Energy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cedar Creek Energy founded?
Cedar Creek Energy was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cedar Creek Energy based?
Cedar Creek Energy is headquartered in Blaine, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cedar Creek Energy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Solar Panel System Sales & Installation is the primary driver. The others are operations & Maintenance (O&M) Services, power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and financing Intermediation & Rebate Navigation.
Who are Cedar Creek Energy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inovateus Solar, All Energy Solar, Blue Raven Solar and RGS Energy (Real Goods Solar). Broad incumbents are Sunrun, Mortenson Construction and McCarthy Building Companies. Connexus Energy is listed as a regional player. Others are Xcel Energy (Solar Rewards) and Enphase Energy.
Does Cedar Creek Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cedar Creek Energy.
What industry is Cedar Creek Energy in?
Cedar Creek Energy's product category is Solar Energy Installation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAB, Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System), with a secondary code of EUAEAAAG, Solar PV Power Plant EPC (Utility-Scale). Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 4911.